The Life of JOHN V ROWAT
John Vernon Rowat, 82, of Valley View Village died of cancer Thursday at Kavanagh House on Grand in West Des Moines. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Calvary Baptist Church, of which he was a member. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Mr. Rowat was born in Des Moines and had lived in Des Moines most of his life. He was a retired co-owner of Rowat Cut Stone Co. and a camp manager with Mid American Baptist Camps. He had developed the idea of a 10 percent overhang on every 10th stone for sandstone blocks to create shadows and details on buildings. Some of the project for which his company did the stone work include the Des Moines Register and Tribune Building, one of the Principal Financial Group buldings, the Drake Library doorway and the entrance of the Des Moines Art Center.
He had served in the Coast Guard during World War II and was a member of Mid American Baptist Men, Kiwanis and Pioneer Club and was a member and past president of Lions. He was named 2001 Layman of the Year by the Mid American Baptist Men of Iowa and Minnesota. He enjoyed furniture and cabinet making and his grandchildren''s activities.
He is survived by his wife, Audrey Bird Rowat; a son, Jeff of Des Moines; a daughter, Carol Bath of Central Point, OR; a stepdaughter, Linda Corson of Lake Zurich, IL; a stepson, William Bird of Des Moines; a brother, Robert of Des Moines; a sister, Marjorie Buechler of Boone; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Fran.
Friends may call 30 minutes prior to the time of services today at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to his church, Hospice of Central Iowa or Mid American Baptist Camps. Hamilton''s Funeral Home is handling arrangments.>>